Jindal has not forsaken colleges

Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 8:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 8:47 a.m.

Has Gov. Bobby Jindal honored his 2007 campaign promise regarding the state universities?

During the 2007 campaign for governor, candidate Jindal was the author of a campaign brochure on economic reform titled “Fresh Start for Louisiana.” On page 5 of the brochure, Jindal wrote, “Louisiana’s commitment to funding our higher education institutions has finally begun to increase recently after years of neglect, a trend that must continue.”

A specific promise regarding LSU’s future was made by candidate Jindal when on page 6 of the brochure he wrote, “LSU must be supported so that it can compete with the other leading research universities around the country. We can no longer afford to be penny-wise and pound foolish by allowing valuable researchers who can bring in millions of dollars in grants to leave because we refuse to pay to repair crumbling infrastructure and facilities.”

In contrast to his campaign promises, since Jindal assumed office in January 2008, university budgets have been slashed by $315 million. To make matters worse, last fall the administration warned the universities to prepare for an additional cut of as much as 32 percent in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

A cloud of pessimism about the future of higher education in Louisiana hangs over university campuses across the state caused by a combination of frequent budget cuts and by counterproductive anti-intellectual remarks uttered by administration officials and state House of Representative leaders who, despite their leadership roles, don’t seem to understand how important quality universities are to the future prosperity of the state.

With the above in mind, Gov. Jindal’s Jan. 10 announcement that university funding reductions would be less than 10 percent for the next fiscal year was welcome news to all of his erstwhile supporters who had begun to lose faith in the man they voted for based on his campaign promises and in the belief that he, more than anyone, understood that quality universities were the cornerstone of a better economic future for Louisiana.

Jindal may not be the South’s counterpart to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, but based on his recent encouraging budget announcement, our governor may yet be the leader that Louisiana has been waiting for, one who finally will put the state on the road to reaching its vast potential.

<p>Has Gov. Bobby Jindal honored his 2007 campaign promise regarding the state universities?</p><p>During the 2007 campaign for governor, candidate Jindal was the author of a campaign brochure on economic reform titled “Fresh Start for Louisiana.” On page 5 of the brochure, Jindal wrote, “Louisiana's commitment to funding our higher education institutions has finally begun to increase recently after years of neglect, a trend that must continue.”</p><p>A specific promise regarding LSU's future was made by candidate Jindal when on page 6 of the brochure he wrote, “LSU must be supported so that it can compete with the other leading research universities around the country. We can no longer afford to be penny-wise and pound foolish by allowing valuable researchers who can bring in millions of dollars in grants to leave because we refuse to pay to repair crumbling infrastructure and facilities.”</p><p>In contrast to his campaign promises, since Jindal assumed office in January 2008, university budgets have been slashed by $315 million. To make matters worse, last fall the administration warned the universities to prepare for an additional cut of as much as 32 percent in the 2011-12 fiscal year.</p><p>A cloud of pessimism about the future of higher education in Louisiana hangs over university campuses across the state caused by a combination of frequent budget cuts and by counterproductive anti-intellectual remarks uttered by administration officials and state House of Representative leaders who, despite their leadership roles, don't seem to understand how important quality universities are to the future prosperity of the state.</p><p>With the above in mind, Gov. Jindal's Jan. 10 announcement that university funding reductions would be less than 10 percent for the next fiscal year was welcome news to all of his erstwhile supporters who had begun to lose faith in the man they voted for based on his campaign promises and in the belief that he, more than anyone, understood that quality universities were the cornerstone of a better economic future for Louisiana.</p><p>Jindal may not be the South's counterpart to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, but based on his recent encouraging budget announcement, our governor may yet be the leader that Louisiana has been waiting for, one who finally will put the state on the road to reaching its vast potential.</p><p>Howard Franques</p><p>Lafayette</p>